The incident took place around 8:30 pm, when an elite IDF force
deployed in the area known as the Israel-Egypt-Gaza border triangle
spotted several suspect individual approaching the border fence.

The troops hailed the men to stop, but were ignored. They then
initiated suspect arrest protocol, followed by several warning shots,
which were met with heavy gunfire, by what is believed to be a cover
cell stationed on the Egyptian side of the border.

The soldiers returned fire. Pursuant canvassing of the area revealed
the body of one of the smugglers and three others, wounded. No
firearms were found in their possession.

A military medevac evacuated the injured to the Soroka Medical Center
in Beersheba. No injuries were noted among the Israeli soldiers.

The border fence in the area where the incident took place has yet to
be completed. IDF sources say it is frequently used by smugglers, and
according to defense establishment intelligence as a smuggling path
by terrorists.

In two other recent incidents in the area, bagfuls of explosives were
found left on and near the border fence. Both were defused safety.